LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Touch-A-Truck puts smiles on faces
To the Editor:
My 22-month-old grandson was absolutely thrilled each and every time he got to climb aboard the different vehicles stationed at last week’s Touch-A-Truck event held at Van Neste Square. And in addition to his excitement over all of the shiny vehicles, he was mesmerized by the truck related stories that were read during the Ridgewood Public Library’s Special Truck Storytime, which was held right at the event site.
Needless to say, my wife and I had as much fun watching him (if not more) as he did actively participating in the event itself.
Clearly, Touch-A-Truck would not have been possible without the employees who volunteer to staff it, nor without approval of Village Council members. So, I offer a big thank you to all of the men and women who put smiles on our family’s faces that day by being there with smiles on their faces, and thanks also to the members of our Village Council who agreed to fund this very special day.
Hopefully, a 2016 Touch-A-Truck event is in the planning stages already.
2015 Ridgewood Budget Presentation – Hearing May 27th
Budget Presentation at Introduction of the 2015 Budget on April 22, 2015
Click Here
For the Official State Budget Document
Click Here
The Budget Hearing will be held May 27 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall Court Room. The Village Council will vote on the budget at the end of the hearing.
Ridgewood NJ , Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld will hold office hours for Ridgewood residents and business owners on Saturday, May 23 between the hours o f9:00AM and Noon. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and provide input to Roberta. These sessions will be scheduled at 15 minute intervals and will be held in the Court Room – on the Fourth Level of Ridgewood Village Hall. Please contact Beth Spinato at 201-670-5500, ext. 203 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome but should realize that the schedule may already be booked. We will announce the schedule for these meetings on a monthly basis.
file photo Boyd Loving
MAY 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015, 9:49 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Scheduled for removal by the end of this month, the temporary cell tower fixed near a Route 17 gasoline station has received, at most, another year of life.
Ridgewood zoning board members, at their May 12 meeting, granted AT&T’s request to extend the terms of a previous resolution permitting the installation and operation of a temporary cell tower on wheels (COW) at the Exxon Mobil facility along the state highway. The resolution, which was given a five-month extension in January, now expires May 31, 2016.
Prior testimony by AT&T representatives claimed the need for a cellular facility in that location to offer seamless coverage of newer technology, namely 4G and LTE networks, as required by the Federal Communications Commission. In its current state, the firm’s adjacent 120-foot tall permanent monopole cannot accommodate equipment needed to provide the mandated coverage, thus the installation of the COW.
AT&T, operating under its Cingular Wireless brand, filed an application earlier this year seeking zoning board permission to begin monopole upgrades, which would include the replacement of three antennas and the installation of three new ones. Judy Fairweather, attorney for AT&T, noted in January that the COW would be in place while the company and Board of Adjustment reviewed the merits of the monopole improvements.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the following Boards and Committees: Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, The Ridgewood Community Center Advisory Board, The Financial Advisory Committee, and The Ridgewood Arts Council.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variance applications and appeals from rulings and determinations arising from the enforcement of Village zoning ordinances.
The Community Center Advisory Board develops policies and procedures for the operation of the Community Center facility and assists in the fulfillment of the County Municipal Alliance Grant requirements. Membership includes: Senior Citizen residents; adult residents with children in the school system; and adult residents with no children in the school system.
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
The Ridgewood Arts Council will assist in the promotion of and encourage artistic and cultural programs and will provide for educational opportunities in the areas of art and culture. The Ridgewood Arts Council will also provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Village Council, as needed.
Ridgewood Police : the passing of retired Police Lieutenant Anthony Finamore
May 15 ,2015
the Ridgewood Police
It is with deep sadness we share the passing of retired Police Lieutenant Anthony Finamore . Tony served our community and the Ridgewood Police Department from 1960-1987. Our thoughts and prays are with his wife Gloria, his children and family. Tony is pictured here in the center during the 1961 department photograph. Service arrangements will be announced soon.
Area graduates of the Police Academy of Bergen County are awarded certificates of completion by Freeholder John K. Pollitt, Police Academy committee chairman, during exercises held APR 25 1961. The graduates that year were Patrolmen Harry Shortway Jr., , Anthony Finamore, and Augustus Hensz, of Ridgewood.
His appointment to rank of sergeant on the Ridgewood police force effective Wednesday, Anthony Finamore has his new badge pinned by his wife, Gloria. At left, is Captain Robert S. Kay who handled the promotion ceremonies. FEB 15 1972
Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education. Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00.
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00.
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older).
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
DAILY GUEST PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2015 summer season.
ADULT – $200.00
CHILD (Ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
POOL AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Pool features include a shaded playground, water play fountains, shade kites, Adirondack chairs, a picnic area with charcoal grills, a sheltered pavilion, and the Water’s Edge Cafe. Additional amenities include volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, shuffleboard, four-squares, hop-scotch, backgammon, a lending library and for the little ones, “Storytime Under a Tree”.
Swim instruction is offered for children and adults along with an adaptive swim class. Patron youth (ages 8-14) may also join the competitive Graydon Swim Team sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
AQUATICS – INSTRUCTIONAL, COMPETITIVE AND RECREATIONAL
Instructional swim courses will be offered to seasonal members of all ages – from parent and toddler to youth levels, to adult instruction. An Adaptive Aquatics for Special Needs Children, Introduction to Diving and Intermediate Diving will also be offered. Adults can enjoy Swim Fitness, Water Aerobics, SUP Yoga and Beach Yoga.
Graydon Swim Team will continue the tradition of success for youth ages 8 and up (must pass deep water test to participate). Please check back for the Swim Team Parent Manual.
2015 SEASON
Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, August 16
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
July 4th – Holiday hours, 10 am to 4 pm Late Season – Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30th
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, 12 noon to 7:30 pm
POOL CLOSED – Monday, August 31 through Friday, September 4 Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
CONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-3376 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5566 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560
Ridgewood NJ, As part of the CRS program for the Village, the Engineering Department sends out an annual letter to properties that are located in the Flood Hazard Area of the Village. for a copy of the Village of Ridgewood Annual letter to residents with property in the flood plain Click Her
The Engineering Department also sends a informational letter to local banks, realtors, and insurance companies that service the Village,copy attached. Click Here
The new flood maps may capture additional properties. The Ridgewood Engineering Department will help those property owners as best as we can, although they may have to retain a professional land surveyor and/or professional engineer for their properties.
Existing LOMA’s (Letters of Map Amendment, which indicate a structure on a property in the Flood Hazard Area is not within the limits of the Flood Hazard Area) may not carry over to the new maps (this happened the last time). Those property owners will have a lot of work to do to re-establish their LOMA’s.
The Village outreach letter to property owners generally goes out each year in the Fall.
Village Hall, 131 N. Maplea Ve., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Event DescriptionForum No. 7 – CBD Panel Discussions – May 20th at 7:30PM
Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli has scheduled a CBD Panel Discussion for May 20, 2015 from 7:30PM to 9:00PM; with an “open mike” from 7:30 to 8:00PM. It will be held in the Court Room at Village Hall. The topic for discussion will be determined.
Ridgewood NJ, American Legion Post 53 will conduct a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25th 2015 . It will take place at 11 AM at Van Neste Square in downtown Ridgewood. Everyone is invited to attend.
Free Fun for Young Children! – lots more pictures coming !
Ridgewood NJ, Touch-a-Truck 2015 Rolls Into Ridgewood May 14 Join Us for a Day of Imagination & Fun! Imagine taking a seat behind the wheel of a real police cruiser ready to roll, climbing aboard a shiny fire truck as you prepare to battle a blaze, exploring up-close a fleet of the other emergency and public works vehicles you’ve only seen at a distance on the streets of Ridgewood. Treat your children to a day of hands-on adventure, featuring opportunities to climb on board the vehicles that touch their lives, when “Touch-a-Truck 2015” rolls into downtown Ridgewood’s Memorial Park at Van Neste Square on Thursday, May 14 (Rain date: Thursday, Oct. 8) . Ridgewood emergency and public works vehicles will be ready for action along the Oak Street side of the park from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. as the local heroes who serve the Village also will be on hand to share their favorite tales about the exciting work they perform every day. As an added bonus, they’ll be a Safetytown Kiddie-Car Driving Track hosted by the Ridgewood Police Department and Little Ivy Learning Center. . . a special Truck Storytime hosted by the Ridgewood Public Library and more! Touch-a-Truck, a free event co-sponsored by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Ridgewood, is coordinated by Ridgewood’s Little Ivy Learning Center as part of its ongoing commitment to serve our community’s children and their families. We look forward to meeting your family on Touch-a-Truck Day!
Building Department Hosting Free Building Safety Conference – May 20
May 15, 2015
Ridgewood NJ, “To help raise awareness of building safety, the Ridgewood Building Department will proudly celebrate Building Safety Month during May. Building Safety Month is a public safety awareness campaign to help individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable, and energy-efficient homes and buildings.
The public is invited to attend the Ridgewood Building Safety Conference on May 20, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. to be held at Village Hall in the fourth floor courtroom. In keeping with this year’s national Building Safety Month theme, “Resilient Communities Start with Building Codes”, Ridgewood Building Department staff will present a two hour forum focusing on fire safety, disaster safety and mitigation, backyard and pool safety, energy efficiency and green construction.
We will also be discussing department operations, such as the recently enacted “Permit Amnesty Program”, how to effectively navigate through the construction permit application process, scheduling and inspection procedures.”
Ridgewood NJ, Stage I watering restrictions begin on June 1st. Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Even numbered addresses may irrigate only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Irrigation using a hand-held hose is allowed at any time. Details are available on the Ridgewood Water website, water.ridgewoodnj.net.
During the summer months, water use increases dramatically due to lawn and garden irrigation. Ridgewood Water strives to provide the maximum allowable amount of water. The supply is sometimes exceeded by the demand during hot and dry weather The excess demand lowers the reserves in storage tanks, jeopardizing the ability to fight fires..
June 1st – Stage 1 Water restrictions began and will continue to the end August.
Explanation of WATER RESTRICTIONS:
Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV emergency regulations shall become effective upon declaration of each stage by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood. Stage I shall become effective without such declaration on June 1 of each year and shall remain in effect through August 31 of that year except for any period where Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IV emergency regulations are declared. Exceptions to the user restrictions, such as for irrigation of newly planted lawns or shrubs, for cleaning cars or houses, for filling swimming pools or other such outdoor water usage, shall be determined by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood or a Village of Ridgewood employee designated by the Village Manager. Use of any private well shall be exempt from these regulations, provided that said well is first registered with the local Health Authority.
Stage I Moderate Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. Irrigation using a hand-held hose shall be allowed at any time. No irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays except for the use of a hand held hose.
II Severe Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. No irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except for the use of a hand held hose. Irrigation using a hand held hose shall be allowed at any time.
III Pending/Critical Mandatory restriction of irrigation to the use of a hand held hose on Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. No irrigation of any kind shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays.
IV Critical Irrigation is prohibited at any time. Exceptions for irrigation using a hand held hose may be allowed under conditions prescribed by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.
For the first time in 32 yrs. we are starting to question why we are staying here. High taxes, no kids in school, watching services go south( have you ever seen the corner of Linwood and Maple look that bad on Mothers Day, or Ben Franklin the morning after it is used by whoever the night before ?)the garbage political games, developers going nuts (along with a non profit), etc. It was once the positives far outweighed the negatives as this being a top notch town in which to live; unfortunately, that gap has narrowed substantially.
